Source: Working Futures 2004-2014, table 3.24.1. CE and IER estimates.

44% of Sector Skills Vacancies relate to creative roles, whilst other difficulties range across a series of job roles, which may be primarily described, as managerial, technical and administrative.

Difficulties with the creative role are reflected across all sectors, but in the case of Music to a remarkably smaller extent, such that it is not the primary concern of Music respondents.

It is clear that drivers and circumstances may differ greatly within each industry and this suggests that, whilst cross cutting approaches to skills development will be helpful, this must not be at the expense of the precise needs of each industry.

Source: Skills Needs Assessment 2007

For information on skills shortages in recruits see:

Advertising

• Over the next ten years, there is an expectation that there will be a higher demand for the creative role in the future.
• Account planning and management will be amongst the occupations likely to have the greatest increase in demand over the next 10 years. 
• Media buying and planning is only marginally expected to be more important in the future.  This may reflect perceived changes in the roles required of industry in the future, or that these roles are already considered to be very important.

Craft

• The majority of makers believe there will be little change in demand for any of the roles within a craft business.
• There may be more demand for sales and marketing or creative roles rather than administration or management but that demand is not expected to be significant.

Cultural heritage

• A small growth across all roles in the future is expected.
• The strongest growth in expected  in education, visitor services, archaeologists, volunteer co-ordinators as well as marketing and fund raising roles.

Design

• This sub-sector is looking principally to recruit people into creative roles, who have been involved in Design practice for some time, rather than taking new graduates and giving them time to build up their experience on the job.
• The greatest rise in demand is likely to be for marketing and PR roles, followed by creative roles, then service/sales roles.
• The need will be greatest to recruit managers and marketing/PR staff with higher qualifications.  This emphasises the increasing importance that design businesses are likely to place on these roles, and the competence of the people carrying them out.

Visual, performing and literary arts

• All roles will require higher qualifications and some level of fundraising skill. 
• Fundraising and finance staff will also be in demand
• The demand for street arts will be high, but the greatest demand will be for education and development occupations.
• The indicated demand for puppeteers, entertainers and circus performers is perceived to be high over the next 10 years.
• Street performance is currently buoyant, with demand especially high for circus performers.  A trends is seen for ‘new circus’ roles, possibly driven by current reality television shows.

Sources: Skills Needs Assessment 2007 and Gap Analysis and Market Testing 2007

There is limited information on salaries for the different roles in the creative and cultural sector, with no set income for particular roles.  For many roles in the sector, salary levels will differ greatly depending on work opportunities, reputation, experience and qualification.  It is common for people working in the sector to earn their living from a combination of work. 

The sector is characterised by high number of freelance workers; the rates for whom can vary widely.  Freelance workers often negotiate fees based on the type of work and their experience and track record.

Some examples of salary levels for occupations (by learndirect) in the creative and cultural sector include:

The following websites provide information on occupational roles, salaries, working conditions and opportunities in the creative and cultural sector:

The Creative and Cultural Skills website, the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries, includes various stories from people working in the sector.  These stories have practical information and the challenges they have had to face working in the sector. 

The learndirect website also has detailed occupational profiles for some occupations in the sector under the following headings: 

Performing arts, broadcast and media 

Marketing, Selling and Advertising

Arts, crafts and design job profiles 

These profiles include information on entry points, training, working environment, employment opportunities and expected annual salary. 

The Prospects website (a graduate careers website) includes information on broad sectors including:

Advertising, marketing and PR

Creative arts 

Each includes information on: job roles entry and progression; typical employers; opportunities abroad; future trends; case studies; plus a list of contacts and resources.

Careersbox has films of those working in the sector, including: Marketing programme coordinator; Production & marketing assistant; General manager (theatre); Artists award; Location sound recordist; and Make-up artist.

Films are from those already working in the sector giving an insight into what it is like and what their role involves.